HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 137 



and terminate in the defeat or flight of one of 

 them ; while the other remains in possession of his 

 mistress and the field, till another rival approaches, 

 that he is also obliged to attack and repel. During 

 this time which usually lasts about three weeks, the 

 Stag is frequently seen by the sides of rivers and 

 pools of water, where he can quench his thirst, as 

 well as cool his ardour. He swims with great ease 

 and strength; and, it is said, will even venture out 

 to sea, allured by the Hinds, and swim from one 

 island to another, though at a considerable distance. 



The Hinds go with young eight months and a 

 few days, and seldom produce more than one, called 

 a Fawn. They bring forth in May, or the beginning 

 of June, and conceal their young with great care in 

 the most obscure retreats. They will even expose 

 themselves to the fury of the hounds, and suffer all the 

 terrors of the chase, in order to draw off the Dogs 

 from their hiding-place. The Hind is also very 

 bold in the protection of her offspring, and defends it 

 with great courage against her numerous and rapa- 

 cious enemies : the Wild Cat, the Dog, and even the 

 Wolf, are frequently obliged to give way to her upon 

 these occasions. But what appears to be strangely 

 unnatural, the Stag himself is often one of her 

 most dangerous foes, and would destroy the Fawn, 

 if not prevented by the maternal care of the Hind, 

 which carefully conceals the place of its retreat. 



The Fawn never quits the dam during the whole 

 summer; and in winter, the Stags and Hinds of all 

 ages keep together in herds, which are more or less 

 numerous, according to the mildness or rigour of 

 the season. They separate in the spring: the Hinds 

 retire to bring forth ; while none but the young 

 ones remain together. 



VOL. in. s 



